Note-taking assistance may be provided to qualified students who are registered with the Disability Services for Students office.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an SSU student and currently enrolled with the Disability Services for Students office.
- Have specific documentation of a disability where the functional limitations affect one’s ability to take notes in the classroom
- Students with hearing and visual impairments, as well as those with cognitive impairments related to processing speed, attentiveness, auditory processing, or dysgraphia, may also be eligible for note-taking assistance.
Note-Taking Accommodation Guidelines
- Note-taking services are provided as a disability-related accommodation to eligible students registered with the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office who have a documented disability, which impacts the student’s ability to effectively take notes in class.
- The DSS student should schedule an appointment with their DSS Advisor prior to the beginning of the semester to request note-taking accommodations in specific classes where this assistance is needed. Failure to promptly schedule an appointment with your Disability Management Advisor may result in a delay in the provision of this disability-related accommodation.
- The DSS student and DSS Advisor will discuss note-taking options such as:
- Classmate sharing their notes (Note taker)
- Use of a digital recorder
- Use of a LiveScribe pen
- Use of the Otter.ai voice meeting notes app (iOS/Android)
- Note Taking Express (iOS/Android)
- Notes should include details covered during lectures, class discussions, and videos/films in class.
- Notes provided by the note taker are not a word-for-word transcription, but should highlight major topics or themes, basic concepts, new or difficult vocabulary, assignment details, class announcements and due dates for tests, quizzes, and projects.
- The DSS student should notify the note taker of the preferred form of note delivery (i.e. carbonless paper, scanning notes and provide via email).
- The provision of a note taker is not a replacement for a DSS student’s attendance in class. The note taker is not expected to take notes on assigned readings or other homework-related activities.
- Note takers should be punctual, reliable and maintain confidentiality about the DSS student(s), asking for feedback on notes from the student (where appropriate), delivering the notes in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours) and in the agreed-upon format.
- The DSS student should notify the DSS office if they experience any problems with the note-taking services that are being provided. Please be specific in providing examples of the problems you are experiencing and the DSS office will investigate and take appropriate action if needed.
- If the note taker is absent from class, they are still responsible for sharing notes from that class meeting by perhaps asking another student for a copy of their notes.
- The DSS student should immediately notify DSS of any changes in the need for note-taking services or course enrollment status (dropping or changing classes).